Trump and Epstein: Uncovering the Connection, 2023-09-19

Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein come under scrutiny

US President Donald Trump has denied any close friendship with the sex‑offender, but a wealth of public records point to frequent contact and overlapping social circles spanning the 1990s and early 2000s.

Early 1990s social overlap

• Party at Mar‑a‑Lago – In 1992 Trump hosted an NFL cheerleader event that Epstein attended, as NBC footage shows.
• Calendar girl competition – The same year Epstein was the only guest at a Trump‑hosted contest of more than two dozen young women, per New York Times.
• Private jet travel – Court‑filed flight logs count at least seven times Trump boarded Epstein’s private jet during the decade; Trump has publicly denied this.

Late 1990s alleged misconduct

• 1993 alleged groping – Trump was accused by the New York Times of physically offending swimsuit model Stacey Williams after Epstein introduced them at Trump Tower; Trump has refuted the claim.
• Allegations of sexual abuse – In 2023 a civil trial ruled Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming journalist E. Jean Carroll.

2000s “terrific guy” praise

• 2002 praise – A New York Magazine profile quoted Trump as describing Epstein as “a terrific guy” who enjoyed “beautiful women,” many of whom were young.
• 2003 birthday letter – The Wall Street Journal reported Trump drafted a birthday letter for Epstein, which included a drawing of a naked woman and a signature mimicking pubic hair; Trump dismissed the letter as “fake.”

2004 falling out and property dispute

• Property competition – Trump and Epstein competed for a waterfront property in Florida; Trump ultimately won, causing a public rupture in their relationship.
• Public distance – Trump later claimed in 2019 the men had a “falling out” and had not spoken for 15 years.

Post‑2008 criminal charges and death

• 2008 conviction – Epstein was jailed for 13 months for soliciting a minor prostitute.
• 2019 re‑arrest – Epstein was charged again for trafficking girls as young as 14 and engaging in sexual acts with them.
• 2019 death – Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial in federal prison.

Trump’s latest stance

After Epstein’s death, Trump has repeatedly disavowed any close relationship, labeling Epstein a “fake” and asserting he was “never on the plane.” He has also amplified conspiracy theories implicating global elites, including former President Bill Clinton, in Epstein’s alleged crimes. These assertions continue to generate scrutiny in the Trump administration.